1946 ... F-82 North American 'Twin-Mustang' - designed as ultra-long range escort for B-29's in the Pacific during WWII- 270 built- used during Cold-War as night fighter and B-50 escort- scored first UN Forces 'kill' of Korean War- retired 1953

... the 'Hound Dog' missile was an early version of a cruise missile. Two were carried under the wings of a B-52 Stratofortress, while additional 'free-fall' weapons could be carried in the B-52's bomb-bay. The missile would be launched at a distance of up to 750 miles from it's target. Relatively small and fast (mach 2) the 'Hound Dog' was much less vulnerable to Russian air defenses than it's bigger much slower mother-ship. Each missile was armed with a W-28 one and a half megaton nuclear warhead. 'Hound Dog' missiles remained in service until 1975 when they were replaced by more modern versions of the cruise missile.

In the late 1950's and early 60's, as Soviet air-defenses became more effective, the 'Hound Dog' system was developed so that bombers could execute 'stand-off' attacks on heavily defended targets. (video)

... of all the hyperbole and orgasmic dissertations written about this superstar aircraft several facts stick out for me. It's first flight was over 50 years ago. It was originally conceived of as a super-duper interceptor; armed with atomic rockets ( that gets the imagination going!) Of the 32 built- 12 crashed! That is what is known as 'pushing the envelope'!

... OK, here's a good story reflecting the high rate of aircraft losses.